Release Date: 08.07.01 Label: LaFace Distributor: BMG	IntroLude 8701 U Remind Me I Don't Know (featuring P. Diddy) Twork It Out U Got It Bad If I Want To I Can't Let U Go U Don't Have To Call Without U (interlude) Can U Help Me How Do I Say Hottest Thing Good Ol' Ghetto U-Turn U R The One
Album Information
8701 is the third studio album by American R&B singer Usher, released by Arista Records on August 7, 2001, in North America. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2000 to 2001, and was handled by several producers including The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Mike City, P. Diddy, Bryan Michael Cox, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The album debuted at number-four on the US Billboard 200 chart selling 210,000 copies. It has sold 4.7 million copies in the US and over 8 million worldwide; it received a 4× platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). 8701 received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising Usher's more mature and polished vocals. Billboard ranked the album number 63 on the Billboard 200 decade-end charts. The albums production was handled by The Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Mike City, P. Diddy, Bryan Michael Cox, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. It was recorded in Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Atlanta. The album's theme is based upon Usher's experience with relationships, Usher stated that the album's inspiration was derived from love and heartache. He also stated that it includes elements inspired by late motown artists, including Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. Usher had originally planned to release All About U (the album's original title) on October 31, 2000 but due to multiple tracks being leaked on the music service site Napster, it was delayed twice, from December 5 to July 17 the following year. Songs leaked on Napster include; "T.T.P.", "U R the One" and the single "Pop Ya Collar" — were available for download on Napster on March 13, 2001. He commented on the situation during the taping of the "mtvICON: Janet Jackson" special saying: "After my music was released to Napster, I didn't think that was fair," "I didn't want that to be the way my record was remembered or the way I would present that to my fans." Due to the circumstances Usher decided to head back to the studios to record new tracks, he stated that "It turned out a lot better" and he was more akin to the new tracks. He stated that some of the tracks included on the latter album would not be on the new re-recorded one, now entitled 8701. The album was eventually released on August 7, 2001.